Boston’s requirement of proof of vaccination to enter certain indoor spaces ended on Friday, after officials said the city hit three thresholds that indicate levels of coronavirus among the populace.
Boston’s community positivity rate is 4 percent, below the 5 percent threshold. The occupancy rate of adult ICU beds is 90.7 percent, below the 95 percent threshold, and COVID-19 hospitalizations is at 195.9 per day, below the 200 per day threshold.
“This news highlights how much progress we’ve made in our fight against COVID-19 thanks to vaccines & boosters—which have always been our most effective weapon against the pandemic,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement. “It’s a win for every Bostonian who’s done their part to keep our communities safe, and we have to keep going. I want to thank all of our small businesses who have been working to keep our communities healthy through challenging times.”
Wu earlier this week said she anticipated the requirement to drop in the coming days. The three thresholds are an “off-switch” and an “off-switch” for the proof of vaccination requirement, she said during an event in Roxbury, and noted that the coronavirus continues to evolve, and fall and winter surges could occur.
The proof of vaccination applied to customers and employees of indoor restaurants, bars, nightclubs, gyms and entertainment venues. The policy first went into effect Jan. 15, and drew a range of responses, from shrugs of shoulders to vitriolic messages on social media.
Still in place: The mask mandate for public indoor spaces. Public officials plan to review the mandate in the “coming days,” according to the Wu administration release on Friday.
